According to AdvisorHub, the headcount at Edward Jones and LPL Financial continues to move in opposite directions. Edward Jones' force continued to decrease, while LPL gained a larger roster. 

Edward Jones ended 2021 with 18,823 brokers, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The two firms operate on a different business model. The firms' divergent approach to headcount comes as the industry deals with a decreasing amount of advisors. Additionally, the industry is seeking other ways to add assets and new customers rather than relying on recruiting or historically unsuccessful training. 

LPL ended 2021 with 19,876 advisors, a 15 percent increase from the previous year. Yet Edward Jones maintained a broad lead over LPL in revenue and net income. Edward Jones earned $12.3 billion in net revenue for the full year in 2021, a 22 percent increase from 2020. 

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